Free & open source alternatives to Canva

5 free template-based design apps to use instead of Canva

The best free alternative to Canva is Adobe Express. The closest experience to Canva: templates, background removal and short videos.

Other great options: Affinity, Photopea, Inkscape and Penpot.

Quick pick: Want ready-made templates like Canva: Adobe Express. Want free-form design with no limits on your computer: Affinity or Inkscape.

Reviewed November 2026 against each vendor's official website.

Official ways to use Canva for free

Canva Free already includes a huge library of templates, photos and fonts; most people never need to upgrade.
Canva for Education is free with full features for K-12 teachers and students (teachers submit verification).

Free plans and trial lengths are set by the vendor and can change. Check the official website before signing up.

5 best alternatives to Canva

Adobe Express

Design & photo

FreemiumEasy to use

The closest experience to Canva: templates, background removal and short videos.

Adobe's quick design tool, similar to Canva, for social posts, posters, background removal and short videos. The free plan covers everyday needs.

Lots of templates, free background removal
Adobe fonts and Adobe Stock images (limited on the free plan)

Platforms: Web · Android · iPhone

Adobe Express details Official website ↗

Affinity

Design & photo

FreeSome learning curve

From the same company as Canva, offering free professional design on desktop.

A professional design suite combining photo editing, vector and page layout in one app. Since late October 2025 Canva offers it free with a Canva account.

Adobe-level quality for photo, vector and layout in a single app
Opens .psd, .ai (PDF-compatible) and InDesign .idml files
Full CMYK and print-ready export

Platforms: Windows · Mac

Affinity details Official website ↗

Photopea

Design & photo

FreeEasy to use

More detailed photo editing and text work than Canva, right in the browser.

A browser-based image editor whose interface closely mirrors Photoshop. It opens .psd, .ai, .xd, .sketch and .pdf files with nothing to install.

Closest thing to Photoshop, so Photoshop users feel at home
Opens .psd with layers and many layer effects
Works on any device with a browser, including Chromebooks

Platforms: Web

Photopea details Official website ↗

Inkscape

Design & photo

Open sourceSome learning curve

Free-form vector drawing for logos and posters.

An open-source vector editor for logos, icons, posters and vinyl cutting. It uses SVG natively and exports PDF, PNG and DXF for cutters.

Free and standards-based SVG
Opens .ai (PDF-compatible), CorelDRAW .cdr and .pdf files
Exports DXF for laser and vinyl cutters

Platforms: Windows · Mac · Linux

Inkscape details Official website ↗

Penpot

Design & photo HealthGood (95/100)62,175

Open sourceEasy to use

Interface design with real-time team collaboration.

An open-source, browser-based tool for designing web and app interfaces, Figma-style. Teams can edit together in real time. You can self-host it on your own server.

Multi-user editing, comments and prototyping
Built on SVG and CSS, so developers get usable code easily
Self-hostable, your data stays on your server

Platforms: Web · Self-hosted

Penpot details Official website ↗

Quick comparison

App	Type	Platforms	Ease of use	GitHub stars
Adobe Express	Freemium	Web, Android, iPhone	Easy to use	—
Affinity	Free	Windows, Mac	Some learning curve	—
Photopea	Free	Web	Easy to use	—
Inkscape	Open source	Windows, Mac, Linux	Some learning curve	—
Penpot	Open source	Web, Self-hosted	Easy to use	62,175

Open source: anyone can use, study and modify it, including businesses. Free: no cost, but the code is closed. Freemium: a lasting free plan with paid tiers for extra features. Source available: code is public but the license adds conditions.

FAQ

What is the best free alternative to Canva?

The most popular picks are Adobe Express, Affinity, Photopea and Inkscape. Want ready-made templates like Canva: Adobe Express. Want free-form design with no limits on your computer: Affinity or Inkscape.

Can I get Canva Pro for free?

Legally, yes in some cases: Canva for Education (K-12 teachers and students) and Canva for Nonprofits for approved organizations. Canva also offers a 30-day Pro trial.